Odds & Ends Before 2011 Ends!

A few odds and ends to share with you as I tie things up for 2011...

Mustache by Silhouette accompanied by computer generated sentiment

 MFT die, TCP Admit One sentiment and Silhouette cuts

Sentiment from PTI and TCP CutUps Circus Panels

7 Gypsies tray with subway art by Kerri Bradford

Reindeer using TCP CutUps Pennant and Snowflakes Lace Paper antlers

Silhouette snowflake

Stocking and holly from Silhouette

And with that I'd like to wish you all a FAN{TACHE}TIC New Year!

~Amy

TCP Tuesday 190: J*lly H*liday Sketch!

It's a sketch challenge for this week's TCP Tuesday and Leigh is our hostess with the mostess. She has an absolutely out-of-this-world card sample for the sketch, so be sure to stop over at her blog...really, you're gonna flip.your.lid. The rest of The Cat Pack has stunning samples as well, so check out the links to each of their blogs on my side bar.

My sample is actually a Genie-Bag (the infamous creation of our very own Cat Packer, Jen del Muro) topped with a loose interpretation of the sketch using J*lly H*liday, Olive Seam Binding topped with mini jingle bells, the CutUps Big Ticket die and a textured red layer using my awesome new embossing folder that I got from my Secret Sis, Jen! Boy, does that embossing folder ever 'boss the heck out of the paper!

I was so stinkin' excited about getting to stamp with my new favorite set, J*lly H*liday, that I couldn't stop with the gift bag, so I stamped up a wine tag that I cut with my Silhouette a couple of weeks ago.

I simply stamped three rows of the snowflake from J*lly H*liday in black and then topped it with a CutUps Big Scallop die in red and a sentiment strip. I really wanted that clean, classy look, so I kept details to a minimum--a single flat backed red pearl and one strand of Ivory Linen Thread. This would be easy peasy lemon squeezy to mass produce, and I just might make a few last minute gifts, or just decorate MY wine bottles!

I'd like to wish you ALL a very Merry Christmas. May your heart be filled with peace, love and generosity this holiday season.

~Amy

TCP Tuesday 189: Merry Fishmas!

This week's TCP Tuesday challenge is to create one last Christmas card, hosted by Susan. Check out her blog for the swanky deets!

I've used the brand spankin' new set, Best Fishes, for my card. LOVE the sentiments just as much as that fish-holding penguin...always up to mischief!  I've also incorporated the CutUps Anywhere Ribbon Slide die with our new Cranberry Seam Binding for your personal deliciousness!

Keeping the chatter to a minimum since time is of the essence these days, for you and for me!

Happy Holidays,
Amy

TCP November Release Projects

Forgive me for being so absent lately, but I've been overcome with holiday madness! Just wanted to quickly pop in to share a few of my projects from the latest TCP release.

Snow Day in a snow globe...

Raising Cane on a CutUps-made ornament for baby...

CutUps Gift Card Envie in felt and Evergreen seam binding...

J*lly H*liday and Holiday Divine Twine

And, finally more holiday goodness with that CutUps Big Ticket die!

Thanks for stopping by! I hope to be back Monday with the TCP Tuesday color challenge hosted by Lori. Hope your holiday shopping and preparations are filled with peace and good cheer!
~Amy

YNSC #57 New Release Blog Hop!

Welcome to our YNS blog hop celebrating the release of new stamps and dies: Holiday Snow Globe Set, Fancy Frame Die and stamps, Crisscross Die and stamp, and 3 single stamps, one of which includes a fabby new Your Next Die! I've used Holiday Snow Globe for my project today: gift tags!  I'd recently seen recycled newspaper gift wrap, liked the look and decided to pair it up with an adorable YNS Holiday Snow Globe gift tag.

 Here's a closeup of my very simple Copic colored tag, tied with silver cording and 2 simple jingle bells.


Another tag option that could be easily mass produced. Each of the tags shown here are stamped with to/from on the back (included in this awesome set), but I forgot to take a photo of it, so you'll just have to trust me-- it's just darling!

If you started at the top of the hop and are working your way through, you hopped here from Jen's blog, and from here you'll hop on over to Wendy's blog. BE CERTAIN to go to the YNS blog for entire hop details because there are PRIZES involved, people!!
 ~Amy

TCP Tuesday 187 + New Release Blog Hop!

Hold onto your hats, there are some awesome creations along this hop which use all new stuff from The Cat's Pajamas, available for purchase as we speak! We kicked off the new release with a fun little pajama party over at SCS last night, lots of laughs, peeks and prizes. Today is a blog hop including the TCP Cat Pack along with special guests, also known as Swanky Stampers! You can start at the top with our hostess, Julie, or you may have hopped here from Jen's blog where I'm sure you were treated to some delicious eye candy..uh-huh?!

Julie's challenge is to add some sparkle in the way of embellishments, so I silver embossed the snowflake in J*lly and added a sparkly olive green rhinestone to the center. My CutUps Snowflake Lace Paper die plus silver card stock also adds a bit of shimmer.

Does the combo of J*lly H*liday and the CutUps Big Ticket die have you melting in your snow boots? And then you throw in a dash of that yummy Silver Seam Binding...oh.me.oh.my!

There's lots more in store for you, so hop on along to Carole's blog for some really good chatter and something real nice in the way of paper and embellies, I'm sure! Don't forget that promo code: Happy15 will get you an extra 15% off your entire purchase now through the end of November at The Cat's Pajamas!

Happy Shopping,
Amy

Sneaky Peek Day 7 + TCP Tuesday 186

Alma has created  another fun, fun graphic set that is filled to the brim with possibilities for your holiday stamping! The set is called J*lly H*liday and it's hands-down my favorite set of the release!! (Can you tell I'm just a little excited about this one?!)

The set contains 4 anchor words, all of which have an open space for the 'o' that is replaced with one of 7 holiday icon images. Wait, there's more...the set includes 3 more images and 2 sentiment starters to accompany the anchor words...can you say 'Merry Christmas' to me?! You'll have a chance to treat yourself to this set starting tonight at the close of the TCP Pajama Party (our way to kick off the new release with more sneak peeks, prizes and chatter) hosted on this thread over at SCS, so be there and let's make it happen!

Here's a detail shot of the sentiment, stamped on the CutUps Big Ticket die, shadowed with a Copic marker and all shined up with a dab of Crystal Effects. You're also looking at a big scrunchy holiday bow using TCP's Seam Binding in Cream, delicious and only 0 calories! The last of the fun embellies on this one includes fun and formal black snowflakes that were remnants from the CutUps Snowflake Lace Paper die cut that I used on a card I'll be sharing with you tomorrow! All of this goodness adds up to my better-late-than-never entry for Jen's Inspiration Challenge for TCP Tuesday 186 from which I drew on the holiday greenery, cream colors and semi- formal feel to the inspiration piece.

Stop at Alma's blog for more delicious Sneaky Peeks, and puh-lease don't forget about In It To Win It going on at SCS. All you have to do is comment on this thread for your chance to win today's Sneaky Peek set!

I can't wait to see you all at the PJ Party tonight, but until then I'll leave you with a lookie at J*lly H*liday and the new CutUps Snowflake Lace Paper die...more 0 calorie treats!

~Amy

Sneaky Peek Week: Peeking!

It just wouldn't be Christmas without PJ now, would it?! Here he is hiding behind a gift...always the giver is he. The set is called Peeking and it has everything you need for wrapping up your holiday gift giving.

 

Everyone needs a set with 'For' and 'From' for holidays and birthdays, and there's the new CutUps Anywhere Ribbon Slide workin' it's magic once again with some lover-ly Olive Seam Binding, also from The Cat's Pajamas.

 

Speaking of peeking, I'm sure you've spied some delightful holiday Divine Twine...yep, you guessed it--it will also be available from The Cat's Pajamas next Tuesday!

Stop at Alma's blog for more delicious Sneaky Peeks, and puh-lease don't forget about In It To Win It going on at SCS. All you have to do is comment on this thread for your chance to win today's Sneaky Peek set!

 

I'll be back on Monday with one more Sneaky Peek of my most favorite set of this new release...hold onto your Christmas stockings, it's THAT good!

~Amy 

Sneaky Peek Week: Freezin' Season!

Welcome to Sneaky Peek Week, Day 4 (also known as Black Friday, snort!). Freezin' Season is the name of today's set, the 2nd of 4 new bunny sets that either send you into a fit of the giggles or tug at your heart. I think Freezin' Season could fit the bill either way depending on the sentiment you use. I've also used two new CutUps--Snowflake Lace Paper and Anywhere Ribbon Slide.

Head on over to Alma's blog for more delicious Sneaky Peeks, and puh-lease don't forget about In It To Win It going on at SCS. All you have to do is comment on this thread for your chance to win today's Sneaky Peek set!

Enjoy the Sneaky Peeks, and for Pete's sake BE CAREFUL shopping! Speaking of shopping and Black Friday deals, head on over to The Cat's Pajamas and practice a little 'safe shopping' online, eh?! Ü
~Amy

YNSC #56: Holiday Joy

This week's YNS Challenge is to use die cuts, so I pulled out my Your Next Die--Happy Holidays die set and a sentiment from the Reindeer Fun Bundle (on sale now!) and got to work on a CAS Christmas card. I've been very much drawn to all things clean and simple (CAS) lately, which I see as my way to simplify life and preparations for the holidays in order to minimize the stress that often accompanies the upcoming holiday season. Anyway, I hope you enjoy my CAS card for this week's challenge!

Stop by the YNS Blog for more die cut inspiration from the YNS design team and all of the details for YNSC56!
~Amy

Forest Whimsy Winner!

Good morning! I'm popping in to share the winner of the Paper Smooches Forest Whimsy set, so let's get to it...

Nancy Guse left comment #72 and said: I love this, perfect cheesehead!! GO PACKERS!!!

Congratulations, Nancy!

Introducing Forest Whimsy + Giveaway!

Paper Smooches  recently released a NEW stamp set called "Forest Whimsy". You may remember these images from a former stamp set called "Forest Friendzy". It was sold by Cornish Heritage Farms and Illustrated by Kim Hughes. Kim "tweaked" every image in the set and gave them a fresh new look! They are now manufactured with the highest quality clear photopolymer on the market and stamp beautifully! She is releasing a new stamp set from the former "Kim Hughes Collection" on the 15th of each month at the Paper Smooches web site.

I am LuCKy enough to be sharing a card made with Forest Whimsy with you today, AND I have a Forest Whimsy stamp set to give away to one lucky person! You have until midnight on November 20th to leave a comment. I will post the winner on Monday, November 21st.

Before I show you my card, I want to share a bit of the inspiration for my card, giggle!

My tribute to Forest Whimsy and my beloved Green Bay Packers, complete with cheesehead cap and matching banner!

I had so much fun playing with this set and can't wait to conjure up a few more sports gnomes! Be sure to leave a comment for your chance to WIN THIS SET! For more chances to win, please visit Kim and Debbie's blogs where we both KNOW they'll have something wonderful for your eyeballs to ogle!
~Amy